Local scholarship and award recipients

Published: Friday, January 25, 2013 at 06:01 PM.

Kristin Caddick of Gastonia is one of the recipients of the 2013 EF Global Citizen Scholarship program, designed to unite high school students from around the world by breaking down barriers of culture, language and geography, while helping students develop global awareness, critical thinking and problem-solving skills

“The 2013 class of Global Citizen Scholars is an impressive group of high school students from across the U.S. and Canada who represent the next generation of global leaders,” said Shane Steffens, president of EF Educational Tours U.S.

In celebration of Earth Day and the 2013 National Environmental Education Week, this year’s Global Citizen Scholars will travel to Costa Rica on a 10-day immersive, educational tour to experience Costa Rica’s rich and diverse eco-systems while studying the country’s successful environmental policy initiatives. The trip culminates in a two-day leadership summit where students from the U.S., Canada and Costa Rica will collaborate to design potential solutions to key environmental issues, and hear keynote speeches from former Vice President Al Gore, former Costa Rican President Dr. Oscar Arias and noted environmental advocate Severn Cullis -Suzuki.

“Each scholar has a unique passion for the environment,” said David Conklin, president of EF Educational Tours Canada. “They recognize the local implications of critical global issues, and they’re prepared to apply what they learn at the Global Student Leaders Summit to the environmental issues facing them in their own localcommunities .”

Criteria for the 2013 Global Citizen Scholarship included a video or essay submission, addressing the global implications of an environmental issue and providing ideas to solve it. After receiving more than 200 submissions from across the U.S. and Canada, a panel of global education experts selected the scholars through a series of assessments and interviews, judging the students on creativity, inventive ideas and their demonstration of global citizenship.

Kristin Caddick of Gastonia is one of the recipients of the 2013 EF Global Citizen Scholarship program, designed to unite high school students from around the world by breaking down barriers of culture, language and geography, while helping students develop global awareness, critical thinking and problem-solving skills

“The 2013 class of Global Citizen Scholars is an impressive group of high school students from across the U.S. and Canada who represent the next generation of global leaders,” said Shane Steffens, president of EF Educational Tours U.S.

In celebration of Earth Day and the 2013 National Environmental Education Week, this year’s Global Citizen Scholars will travel to Costa Rica on a 10-day immersive, educational tour to experience Costa Rica’s rich and diverse eco-systems while studying the country’s successful environmental policy initiatives. The trip culminates in a two-day leadership summit where students from the U.S., Canada and Costa Rica will collaborate to design potential solutions to key environmental issues, and hear keynote speeches from former Vice President Al Gore, former Costa Rican President Dr. Oscar Arias and noted environmental advocate Severn Cullis -Suzuki.

“Each scholar has a unique passion for the environment,” said David Conklin, president of EF Educational Tours Canada. “They recognize the local implications of critical global issues, and they’re prepared to apply what they learn at the Global Student Leaders Summit to the environmental issues facing them in their own localcommunities .”

Criteria for the 2013 Global Citizen Scholarship included a video or essay submission, addressing the global implications of an environmental issue and providing ideas to solve it. After receiving more than 200 submissions from across the U.S. and Canada, a panel of global education experts selected the scholars through a series of assessments and interviews, judging the students on creativity, inventive ideas and their demonstration of global citizenship.

Adams was nominated by Thomas L. Ellington, operator of Chick- fil-A at Franklin Square restaurant. Adams has worked for Chick- fil -A for more than two years. He graduated from Gaston Christian School in May 2011 and presently attends Gaston College. Adams plans to seek a Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science at UNC Charlotte.

“The program recognizes employees who demonstrate the leadership and character qualities to build a successful life, while offering tangible assistance to enrich their lives with education beyond high school,” said Tom Ellington.

The Chick- fil-A Leadership Scholarship program began in 1973 out of founder Truett Cathy’s desire to encourage restaurant employees to further their education. Since the program’s inception, more that 3,100 team members have received scholarships, bringing the total amount to nearly $30 million.

In addition, all recipients are eligible for Chick- fil-A’s S. Truett Cathy Scholar Award, which provides an additional $1,000 scholarship to the top 25 Chick- fil -A Leadership Scholarship recipients each year.

NEELY AWARDED UNC TRAVEL SCHOLARSHIP

Brandon Neely is one of 26 winners who have received the Frances L. Phillips Travel Scholarship Award.

The scholarship provides an opportunity for juniors and seniors in the College of Arts and Sciences at The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill that attended high school in North Carolina to engage in individual self designed and directed international travel experiences for periods ranging from two to six months.

Approximately 20 Phillips Scholarships for up to $9,000 each are awarded every year on the basis of a competitive written application and committee interview.